Season 4 premiered tonight. I would have bumped the season three thread but I titled it "season 3," which no longer seems appropriate.

Who saw it? It was a stupendous hour of television. All sorts of shit has happened in the eleven months that have passed (in-story) between the formation of Sterling Cooper Draper Price and the beginning of season 4. The premeir was stepped in the juices of the sexual revolution. It also had a lot to say about the increasing role of the media in the success or failure of things. It was great to see Don fail a little bit, and it was exciting to consider the future implications at the end of Don crafting a public/media persona that is completely unlike his actual personality.

I just watched the first two episodes of the show last night. My wife got Season One and Two for me on DVD.

I'm looking forward to this experience. First impressions:
Solid acting. Good writing. Great direction. Amazing art direction/design. I actually like Elizabeth Moss in this. She's been terrible in everything else I've seen her in. The show is so misogynistic, and it's hard to watch for that reason. I understand that it's all part of the show; all part of the time/place/headspace/point. But, right now, I'm having trouble figuring out who (if anyone) I'm supposed to be rooting for. I'm, by no means offended, but there is this barrier for me. I wonder if this is commentary that will lead somewhere, or if it's just an excuse to get away with it. Sort of how people excuse old people for being racist just because "they're from a different time." I have to imagine it's the former. Surely, people wouldn't be so crazy about this thing otherwise.

But I'm very interested. I'm very excited to keep watching. My expectations are pretty high, obviously. Everyone loves this thing. After only 2 episodes, I'd give it a solid B+/A-.

I just watched the first two episodes of the show last night. My wife got Season One and Two for me on DVD.

I'm looking forward to this experience. First impressions:
Solid acting. Good writing. Great direction. Amazing art direction/design. I actually like Elizabeth Moss in this. She's been terrible in everything else I've seen her in. The show is so misogynistic, and it's hard to watch for that reason. I understand that it's all part of the show; all part of the time/place/headspace/point. But, right now, I'm having trouble figuring out who (if anyone) I'm supposed to be rooting for. I'm, by no means offended, but there is this barrier for me. I wonder if this is commentary that will lead somewhere, or if it's just an excuse to get away with it. Sort of how people excuse old people for being racist just because "they're from a different time." I have to imagine it's the former. Surely, people wouldn't be so crazy about this thing otherwise.

Yes, silly. Mad Men is the most feminist show in television. It is a stunning achievement in feminism.

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Originally Posted by Delano

Reaper16's taste in beer, music, and literature are unmatched on this message board.Posted via Mobile Device

I am not ****ing with you. This show would be detested if it were as misogynist as its characters. I could not in good conscious recommend it if it were so misogynist. Part of what makes the show so good it its staunch commitment to feminism.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Delano

Reaper16's taste in beer, music, and literature are unmatched on this message board.Posted via Mobile Device

I wouldn't call it the 'most feminist' show in television, but as you continue on, I think you'll sense that its form of unflinching realism, offers many opportunities for you to appreciate how strong the female characters have been portrayed. There's plenty of misogynist, racist, and classist stuff going on, but the portrayal leaves open exactly how much the 'winners' are winning, and how long their ways will continue to win the day. There's plenty of comeuppance, sometimes in small and subtle ways.

Most importantly, it rings true, and really starts to resonate as you realize the pending era they are on the precipice of, and you begin to theorize how what's going on now/then will survive/transform as time passes.

Much like The Wire, where it was the story of the B-more drug game, but was so much more than 'black folk are drug dealers.'

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If you become a technician, you just whup 'em on pure technique. /W.Shields

I don't know the statistics on this, but it wouldn't surprise me if Mad Men had the most female writing staff in television (perhaps even in the history of television). Seems like every episode is written by a woman (and Matthew Weiner).

It really is good television, making it's case to be in there with the serious shows that are a step above [The Wire, Deadwood, Breaking Bad, Mad Men].

Two things it does well, telling the story without telling it [reminiscent of TWW, but not so overtly so], and incorporating modern trends [bad news coming from TMZ, twitter, etc.]

If I could recommend an introductory episode that encapsulates the possibilities of the show, I'd recommend S1E17, where they are emergency litigating to suspension of medical insurance for a couple who need an in vitro procedure to save their fetus' life. From the opening scenes that tidily set up the informal setting where such high stakes are being decided to the machinations on both sides, the 'pageantry' such as Nyholm [insurance counsel] bringing her infant to the hearing to soften her client's image, wonderful stuff.

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If you become a technician, you just whup 'em on pure technique. /W.Shields

I am not ****ing with you. This show would be detested if it were as misogynist as its characters. I could not in good conscious recommend it if it were so misogynist. Part of what makes the show so good it its staunch commitment to feminism.

I like you, Reaper16. Just know that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

I wouldn't call it the 'most feminist' show in television, but as you continue on, I think you'll sense that its form of unflinching realism, offers many opportunities for you to appreciate how strong the female characters have been portrayed. There's plenty of misogynist, racist, and classist stuff going on, but the portrayal leaves open exactly how much the 'winners' are winning, and how long their ways will continue to win the day. There's plenty of comeuppance, sometimes in small and subtle ways.

I've already started seeing this toward the end of S1. I had a feeling the show was going to be everything you're describing. And I'm so glad.

The show has already changed shape in subtle ways a couple of times. It's ever moving.